Merely having the welfare automatically deduct their rent and pay the landlord directly does not solve much of this problem. In L.A. County, this is called "Section Eight" housing and since the landlords get their check every month, many of them (not ALL, of course) could care less what goes on in their rental unit. Many of these welfare recipients sell their Food Stamps for cash at 10 cents on the dollar and use the money to buy booze and/or drugs. I have seen generations learn how to use, or more aptly "abuse" the system in this manner. I think drug testing should be mandatory but then, there are those bleeding hearts who will consider this an "invasion of privacy" and the ACLU will have another a** to kick!

Jim Richards

I think there are alot of things wrong with our welfare system and some of the people that are on it abuse it. I have known several people who have been on it and each one of them have abused it in someway or the other. Not every person abuses it but there are alot that do.

I have a friend who has been married for about 4 years and they have 2 children. They were getting about $800 a month in food stamps and they wasted every dime of it on microwave foods such as t.v. dinners. They didnt buy meat,vegetables,fruits, or things that actually made a real meal. It makes  me upset because i dont feel that those things should be allowed on food stamps. They should only allow things that are nutrious. My friends spouse worked off and on he had 21 jobs in one year and she refuses to work.

And if they tested people for drugs and kicked them off if they tested positive that would eliminate a good percent and maybe the money they were using for them could go to the ones who really need it.

jimr...

Section 8 is totally separate then rent being deducted from a welfare check.  Section 8 pays a percentage of the rent directly to the owner or manager of the rented property.  The person receiving section 8 is still responsible for paying his/her percentage of the rent out of his/her own money. 

Eekitsaspider...

even if they are buying microwave foods...at least they were buying food.  Some people trade the use of thier food stamp debit card to the connection (drug dealer) and trade drugs for the food that is supposed to be going to their children.  That is the sad fact.  People spending the food stamp money on microwave foods is minor compared to some of the crimes being commited

Drug testing? Are we also willing to pay the high cost of a then needed mandatory stay at a rehabilitation center for the people who do not pass the drug test? Otherwise what good will it do? We will not force Americans to be homeless if they fail the drug test if that is what you think. Plus, most drug addicts have children. Are we going to cut them off welfare if they test positive and put them and their kids on the street?  NO. Only 2% of our federal budget goes to welfare services anyway. It's not like much of the taxes we pay go to welfare to begin with, most goes to Defense, Social Security and Medicare. Although,  I suppose I could pay an increase of 0.3% of my earnings for the additional drug testing if it would indeed help the situation. Although, I don't think it would be fair to those welfare recipients that are not on drugs and are women who have been dumped by the father of their children and are trying to simply raise their children with some dignity.. 3/4 of the people on welfare are indeed single women with children. 

Anyway, It will never happen because it will be too costly and it will do absolutely no good because of the simple fact that America will not put Americans out on the street.  Drug addicts are nothing to be jealous of. Their life sucks.  I wouldn't want to be one would you????   If I had to be on welfare I would do drugs too, it isn't a dignified way to live.

Sparks

How about this....if they test positive for drugs, they can use thier medi-cal to enter a manditory outpatient treatment program.  Also if they test positive the county can mandate them to have their rent and utilities deducted directly from their welfare benefits in order for their children to have a place to live, instead of just giving them $ to spend on drugs.  I was a woman who was dumped by the father of my children who was also a drug addict.  Did i spend my welfare check on drugs and not on rent and bills??? YES.  You are correct it is no life to have.  But we have choices and obligations to our children.  If the county would have deducted my rent directly from my benefit check my kids would have had a safe place to be. 

I agree jewels atleast they are buying food, even if it is microwave food. I think maybe the welfare system needs to regualate what they can and cannot buy, like WIC does. This would lead to a healthier lifestyle and decrease the chances of obesity. Children not only need a safe place to live they also need to be taught to eat healthier and the best example is the parent.

The friend i spoke about in my previous comment just called me. She needs cigarettes so she asked to borrow $20 from me. She also said that if i loaned her the $20 that she would take me to the store and use her food stamps card to buy me some groceries. Now is that wrong or what? I flat out told her NO and that i refuse to buy her cigarettes in exchange for food that the food stamps card is for her and her 2 children. I should call the local welfare office and turn her in but i doubt it would do any good. So its not just drugs it is cigarettes also..oh and alchol ( cant spell) Where does it end?

Sparks

That sandwich maker Chris is awesome.  I don't think he makes the sandwiches anymore.  he is baking now...he is also my son!